only one individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only one individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the singularity of a person in a given context, often to highlight exclusivity or uniqueness. Example: "In this vast crowd, only one individual stood out as a true leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only one individual was found to be co-infected.

Parasite Epidemiology and Control

Only one individual had an ICD placed (patient 4).

Nature

There is only one individual in this team game who can rival Ronaldo.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever, it affects only one individual in Coles's league: Sandra Maresca.

The New York Times

Every year only one individual will be selected for this honor.

Stanford University

But, because only one individual is involved, there is no exchange of gametic nuclei.

Britannica

Now in my blog, only one individual is named.

BBC

If our truth can help, but only one individual, then we have done our civic duty.

Forbes

The related work (Henard et al. 2013a) uses only one individual.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

A family is difficultly composed of only one individual.

Huffington Post

There was only one individual the Examiner sought to interview but could not.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "only one individual" to maintain a professional tone, especially in scientific reports or legal documents. Be mindful that in more casual contexts, "only one person" might sound more natural.

Common error

Avoid using "only one individual" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for "only one person" to maintain a natural and approachable tone, preventing the writing from sounding stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one individual" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It serves to limit the scope to a single person or entity, emphasizing exclusivity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only one individual" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, primarily functioning to specify a single person or entity. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context. The phrase is most appropriate in formal and scientific writing, as evidenced by its frequent use in scientific journals and news reports. For more casual communication, alternatives like "only one person" might be more suitable. When you aim to convey precision and formality, "only one individual" is an effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a single person

Replaces "individual" with the more common "person" and uses "just" for emphasis. This maintains the singularity aspect but is less formal.

one single person

Adds emphasis through repetition of "single".

merely one person

Emphasizes the small number or insignificance of the one person.

solely one person

Emphasizes exclusivity, implying no others are involved.

a unique individual

Highlights the distinctiveness of the person, adding a layer of specialness.

exactly one person

Adds precision and clarity, suitable in legal or technical contexts.

a solitary figure

Focuses on the isolation and uniqueness of the person.

specifically one person

Narrows the focus to a particular person.

one lone person

Implies isolation and possible vulnerability.

a single entity

Replaces "individual" with the more formal "entity", which can be used when referring to organizations or abstract concepts, as well as people.

FAQs

What does "only one individual" mean?

The phrase "only one individual" emphasizes that there is just a single person or entity, highlighting their uniqueness or exclusivity in a given context.

When is it appropriate to use "only one individual"?

Use "only one individual" in formal writing, such as legal documents, scientific reports, or business communications, where a precise and professional tone is required. It's less suitable for casual conversations.

What can I say instead of "only one individual"?

You can use alternatives like "just a single person", "a solitary figure", or "merely one person" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is "only one person" or "only one individual" more common?

"Only one person" is generally more common and widely used in everyday language. "Only one individual" is more formal and often preferred in professional or academic contexts.